Mercury vs Relay: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Mercury and Relay side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Mercury leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Mercury
Business banking for startups. Open an account online in minutes
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Relay requires payment)
Relay
Online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control.
Best for you if:
- • You want good for small business
| At a Glance | Mercury | Relay |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $240/year Personal plan | Free plan, paid from $30/mo, billed monthly Grow plan |
Category | Finance Expense Management | Finance Accounting |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 4.8 182 reviews | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 31 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Treasury requires $500K minimum deposits | n/a |
Choose Mercury or Relay?
Choose Mercury if
- You want a fully free tool (Relay requires payment)
- You want no fees
- You want great UX
Choose Relay if
- You want good for small business
- You want no hidden fees
In-Depth Analysis
Mercury
Business banking for startups. Open an account online in minutes
Mercury's Business Banking and Treasury tiers are exceptionally generous, offering core banking services and high-yield options for free.
Watch out
Treasury requires $500K minimum deposits
Strengths
- Pro: No fees
- Pro: Great UX
- Pro: API access
Weaknesses
- Con: Limited credit options
- Con: US only
Key features
Relay
Online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control.
Relay's pricing is quite generous, especially with a robust free 'Starter' tier offering 20 checking accounts and 1.03% APY on savings.
Strengths
- Pro: Good for small business
- Pro: No hidden fees
- Pro: Multiple accounts
- Pro: Profit First friendly
- Pro: Good mobile app
Weaknesses
- Con: Fewer features than Mercury
- Con: Limited integrations
- Con: No interest on checking
- Con: Smaller startup focus
- Con: Some limitations
Key features
Plans and prices: Mercury vs Relay
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury |
| mercury.com/pricing read Oct 28, 2026 |
| Relay |
| relayfi.com/pricing read Oct 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Mercury pricing and Relay pricing.
Key Takeaways
Mercury
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.2/5
Relay
- Choose if you want online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control
What the data shows
On the data below, Mercury leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Mercury has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 182 reviews for Mercury, 4.2/5 from 31 reviews for Relay).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Mercury $240/year; Relay $30/mo, billed monthly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Mercury and Relay compare in 2026?
On the data below, Mercury leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Mercury has the higher user rating (4.6/5 from 182 reviews for Mercury, 4.2/5 from 31 reviews for Relay). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Mercury $240/year; Relay $30/mo, billed monthly. Both have a free plan.
What are Mercury and Relay used for?
Mercury: Business banking for startups. Open an account online in minutes. Relay: Online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control.
What does Mercury cost vs Relay?
Mercury's cheapest paid plan is Personal at $240/year. Relay's cheapest paid plan is Grow at $30/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between Mercury and Relay?
Mercury's main strength: no fees. Relay's main strength: good for small business.